The West Virginia University Division of Student Life is proud to announce the recipients of the 2016 Hall of Fame and Outstanding Achievement Awards at the induction ceremony at 5:30 p.m. on Oct. 3 at the WVU Mountainlair Ballrooms.

The Student Life Outstanding Achievement Award will be presented to Russell K. Dean. The 2016 Student Life Hall of Fame Award will be presented to Betty Bea Cox, David Master and Tom Sloane.

Student Life Outstanding Achievement Award
Vice Provost Russell K. Dean serves as the chief operating officer for academic affairs at WVU. Dean joined the Office of the Provost in 1989 as assistant vice president for curriculum and instruction, responsible for central oversight of all WVU’s academic programs. Dean’s scope grew as he moved into the role of senior associate provost from 1999 to 2014 and currently as vice provost, a role in which he provides university-wide leadership on WVU’s strategic initiatives, enrollment management, and information technology. In addition, as vice chair of the University Planning Committee, he assists in developing the University’s annual budget priorities and plans, oversight, and allocations to support WVU’s academic mission.

As chair of the Enrollment Management Council, Dean developed a strategic plan for enrollment management, marketing, and recruitment of high-quality students which resulted in WVU growing to nearly 30,000 students on the Morgantown campus. In addition to increasing enrollment, the average ACT score for incoming freshman is now significantly higher than the national average. Increasing the size and quality of the student body has been essential to ensuring WVU’s future success and continued ranking as an R1: Doctoral University – Highest research activity institution.

Dean serves as liaison for all matters involving capital planning for academic facilities. His leadership in the development of WVU’s last two comprehensive master plans has resulted in $593.5 million of capital improvements. These include new construction (Agricultural Sciences Building, Life Sciences Building, Advanced Engineering Research Building, Health and Education Building, Art Museum of WVU, Evansdale Greenhouse, and Evansdale Crossing); renovation and additions (WVU Libraries, White Hall, Brooks Hall, Oglebay Hall, Colson Hall, and College of Law as well as numerous classroom modernizations, infrastructure improvements, and repairs across campus.

Dean has been with WVU since 1979, when he was hired as an assistant professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering. He is tenured in the Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources and served as the director of Graduate Programs for the mechanical and aerospace engineering department for four years. He holds a doctoral and master’s degree in mechanical engineering and a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, all from WVU.

Student Life Hall of Fame
Betty Bea Cox was born and raised in Fairmont. It was after her two daughters were educated and married that she came to work as receptionist in the Mountainlair more than 20 years ago. She quickly demonstrated her many hospitality skills in dealing with people from every walk of life—students, faculty, staff, administrators and the public. When the Student Recreation Center opened she was persuaded to assume a similar role with that unit where she remained until she reluctantly retired at the age of 83 due to health concerns.

Her contributions to the activities and atmosphere of WVU always exceeded the requirements listed on the job description. Her performance and administrative experiences in numerous events such as theater, music and storytelling were valuable assets for her work.

She has been recognized several times for her contributions to the University. In 1996 she was awarded the “Clerical Staff Employee of the Year”. In 2004 she was recognized by the WVU Student Foundation as “The Most Loyal Mountaineer.” In 2007 she received the “Paul Buck Martin Traditions Award” as selected by the WVU Alumni Association. She was inducted into the Mountain Honorary with strong student endorsement. She reports that those awards initiated by students are the most meaningful to her.

Cox’s service to, and love for, the University and its people would seem to justify listing her as an icon that represents a true and loyal mountaineer.�

David Master was born and raised in Charles Town. He attended Shepherd College before relocating to Morgantown in 1976 to attend WVU. Nearly all of David’s working life has been in the food and beverage industry.

After several years of working in the hospitality industry for a major hotel chain and owning a local food and beverage establishment, his employment at WVU began in 1985 when he was hired as a Purchasing/Catering Supervisor at the Mountainlair.

From 1989 – 1998, he assumed various food service management positions within WVU Housing and Residence Life. In 1998, he was instrumental in the formation of WVU Dining Services, resulting in the merger of Residential Dining and Mountainlair Catering. His role focused on overseeing catering and cash operations for the newly formed department. He then served as assistant director for the downtown campus dining operations. For the last decade of his career, his duties focused mainly on human resources, marketing, training, and strategic departmental planning.

Master served on many significant search committees for key food service positions over the years, was instrumental in establishing the dining operation at Summit Hall, represented Dining Services at New Student Orientation, and was the Social Justice Liaison for the department. His greatest passion was working with the students and serving as a mentor. He was known by the students to be approachable, a great listener and advisor.

He was certified by the Educational Foundation of the National Restaurant Association as a Food Service Management Professional, was certified as a Serve-Safe Sanitarian by the National Restaurant Association, was a member of the National Association of College and University Food Services, a member of the American College and University Housing Officers International, was a charter member of the Housing and Residence Life Wellness Committee, and a member of WVU Staff Council.

Master’s employment at WVU spanned 30 years. He retired in 2015 and resides in Venice, Florida with his wife, Sara. They have two daughters, Erin (WVU, BS, ‘03) and Megan (WVU, BJ, ‘07).

Tom Sloane, a lifelong resident of Morgantown, is the son of the late Eleanor and Vance Sloane. He served as executive director for International Student Life and Global Services at WVU, having spent much of his time interacting with students and helping them adjust to life thousands of miles away from their homes. Sloane traveled abroad frequently recruiting future students at international college fairs wand high schools while reconnecting alumni living abroad.

Sloane was instrumental in establishing the WVU Alumni Association’s first international chapters around the globe, including chapters in China, Japan, Korea, Kuwait, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan, and Thailand.
Prior to his current role, Sloane served in numerous positions at WVU during his 40-year career with the University, including senior associate dean of students in charge of student conduct, contact person for parents and supporting them during emergencies involving their children, coordinator of downtown residence halls, interim director of the Center for Black Culture and Research, among others. After completing his graduate degree at WVU in English Literature, Sloane also has taught English courses focusing on ESL composition, Business English, Japanese film and culture, and college student development.

Sloane received his undergraduate and graduate degrees in English from WVU in 1966 and 1971, respectively, where he was a member of Phi Beta
Kappa, Phi Delta Kappa, French Honorary and Order of the Grail, 1964. In 1979, he received his doctorate in Student Personnel Work in Higher Education from The Ohio State University.

Honors include membership in Phi Beta Kappa (WVU, 1966); The Earl Anderson Scholarship for Graduate Study in Higher Education, (The Ohio State University, 1977); WV Board of Trustees Technology Initiative Grant in 1992; and named The Outstanding Alumnus of WVU for 2014, as well as namesake for the Tom Sloane International Alumni & Travel Fund, donated by the Alan Zuccari Family.

Sloane was actively involved in a number of professional organizations, including National Association of Foreign Student Advisers, Association of Student Judicial Affairs, and National Association of Student Personnel Administrators. He also served as a faculty advisor to The Fraternity of Phi Gamma Delta (FIJI) and the Anim� Club, as well as the Saudi, Kuwaiti and Emirati and Japanese student associations. He enjoys watching ice hockey, taking photographs, social media, traveling and collecting.

Special student entertainment at the Awards Ceremony will be the piano prelude by Hannah Harless, WVU student and a musical performance by Elizabeth Keim, Mountaineer Idol Runner-Up.

-WVU-

sw/9/28/16

CONTACT: Sonja Wilson, Hall of Fame Event Coordinator
Sonja.wilson@mail.wvu.edu; 304.293.2702

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